In Year 6 girls from other preparatory and primary schools join those from our own Junior Department in sitting the 11+ entrance examinations and, on entrance to the Senior School in Year 7, numbers in the year are approximately doubled. Girls are placed in four mixed ability forms of around 24 pupils each and most subjects are taught in these form groups throughout the first three years. Mathematics and French are taught in sets selected by ability and there are smaller groups for practical subjects.

Responsibility and leadership are encouraged in a variety of ways. Every form elects its own form captain and deputy each term. These girls represent their form’s views in forums such as the School Council and the Catering Committee, as well as taking responsibility for various administrative tasks. Each girl is a member of one of our four Houses (Livingstone, Nelson, Nightingale and Wellington) through which she is able to mix with girls of different ages whilst taking part in various inter-House events and competitions. As girls become older they take on responsibility for younger pupils in the ‘Aunts’ system or by becoming a Lower School Leader.